Young readers were once the most underserved members of the reading classes, but those days are long gone, disappearing into a Dr Seussian Voom several decades ago. Nowadays, kids have access to books catering to all tastes and targeting all types—wild things, toad lovers, and telekinetics alike. If you need any convincing, Powell’s newly revamped kids’ book section is a daily testimony to the size (and audio volume) of this particular literary market.

Oregon children’s authors too have been on the increase as fast as the demand has grown, and there’s a whole new slew of local writers for children lighting up the publishing world of late. We’ve picked out five with books out this year worth paying attention to.